# Recent Advances in Exploring Casein Peptide Regulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease from an Intestinal Barrier Perspective: Correlations, Mechanisms, Challenges and Solutions

## TL;DR

This review explores how casein peptides may help treat inflammatory bowel disease by improving intestinal barriers and reducing inflammation.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of casein peptides' mechanisms and challenges in IBD treatment from an intestinal barrier perspective.

## Key findings

- Casein peptides show potential in repairing intestinal barriers and modulating immune responses in IBD.
- Barriers to effective casein peptide therapies include delivery and targeting challenges.
- Future strategies aim to enhance the therapeutic potential of casein peptides for IBD.

## Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic and intermittent symptoms, exerting a profound impact on overall health. Although drug therapy and biological agents are primary treatment approaches for IBD, the side effects can affect human health. Thus, it is an urgent need to explore new approaches to counteract the harm caused by IBD. Owing to their natural origin and excellent biosafety, casein peptides are a promising candidate treatment for IBD. This review systematically outlines the structural basis of the intestinal barrier and elucidates the pivotal role of barrier dysfunction in IBD pathogenesis. We further elaborate on the multi-faceted therapeutic mechanisms of casein peptides in IBD, including intestinal barrier repair, immune homeostasis modulation, inflammatory response suppression, and other such pathways. Moreover, we analyze the key challenges of intestinal-barrier-targeted casein peptide therapies in current research and translational practice, and propose future perspectives for overcoming these limitations, thus providing a reference for potential new preventive and therapeutic approaches to IBD.